Unknown trek in Asia: 10 unusual trails

Unknown trek in Asia: 10 unusual trails

From remote corners of Bhutan to the airy heights of Nepal, we present some of the best unknown trek in Asia

When it comes to research, "too late for the sea, too early for the stars" could best describe our time. Legendary discoverers such as Drake and Magellan have a long time ago the oceans, while Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and their kind did the same for remote countries.

One has the feeling that our planet was completely measured and mapped; Tamed, some may say. Even Everest - one of the most inhospitable places on earth - has queues on its slopes.

For this reason, I was so enthusiastic last year to take a hike to the K2 base camp, including crossing the Gondogoro-LA Pass. Compared to my earlier trip to the Everest base camp, K2 felt more far away.

I had a foretaste of true seclusion after a foretaste. I spent a large part of the Lockdown planning and planning of my next big hikes in the Karakorum and in the Himalaya. Below I share 10 largely unknown hikes in Asia, which I added to my wish list.

Unknown hikes in Asia

The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) offers some of the most beautiful landscapes of Asia. It denotes a network of paths, but the real path itself crosses the Himalaya along the highest walkable passports. The first five trek below cover sections of the GHT that lead through Nepal. The following trails follow routes through Bhutan, India and Pakistan.

As in every really remote corner of the world, these regions have little infrastructure, so all of these unknown hikes in Asia are camping style expeditions.

1. Base camp Kanchenjunga to the basic camp Makalu

Location: Nepal Duration: 42 days max. Height: 5.160 m

According to Everest and K2, the Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is the third highest mountain in the world. It is the easternmost of the 14 eight -thousanders and is located on the border between Nepal and India.

Alt = "Kangchenjunga, seen by Pangpema in Nepal on one of the best unknown trek in Asia"Tomabarker/CC BY 3.0Kangchenjunga seen from Pangpema in Nepal

This challenging hike begins with the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Route, which offers a view of the wide north wall of the mountain. It crosses the high passes from Nango La (4,820 m) and Lumba Sumba (5,160 m) and winds through remote landscapes on the border between Nepal and Tibet.

Expect hypnotic views of Kanchenjunga and Jannu in the east and Makalu in the west as well as extensive valleys, dramatic gorges and even dense forest areas.

It is worth noting that the GHT is not signposted or marked and the section from Kanchenjunga to Makalu has a particularly tricky route finding, which is why it is important to make a visit with a specialized provider. The Mountain Company, founded by Everest summit striker Roland Hunter, has experience in the region.

Further information: Kannchenjunga-Base camp on the Makalu base camp

2. Makalu to Everest

Location: Nepal Duration: 28 days maximum height: 6.143 m

Section 2 of the GHT follows from Makalu to Everest and is the most difficult section in Nepal. In order to be able to take part in this hike, you need experience in high -altitude trekking and some mountaineering skills, as you can climb on fixed ropes over high passes and travel on glaciers in group parts. There are also some hikes on loose moraine that follow an indistent path.

Alt = "Mount Makalu can be seen on one of the best unknown hikes in Asia"Daniel Prudek/ShutterstockThe Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world

Apart from that, the challenges are appropriate to the rewards. The route crosses three passes - Sherpani, West Col and Amphu Laptsa - and offers extraordinary views of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse and Chamlang. When it comes to unknown trek in Asia, this is one of the most beautiful.

Learn more: Makalu for Everest

3. Naar to Upper Mustang

Location: Nepal Duration: 24 days maximum height: 5,595 m

The Naar-to-Fupper-Mustang-Trek separates from Annapurna Circuit at Chame/Koto and follows a much quieter path to the remote valleys from Naar and Phu, where hikers can get an insight into the timeless Tibetan culture.

The path continues up the river Lapse Khola, then over the teri la pass at a height of 5,595 m. The descent here is steep and everyone who joins is sure must be sure to walk on a loose, rocky area without a defined path.

Alt = "Oberer Mustang in Nepal"Catalin Eremia/ShutterstockOberer Mustang in Nepal

The route soon enters the Upper Mustang, a dry landscape with colorful rock formations, serpentine combs and cave apartments that have been carved into dramatic cliffs.

Although the route is demanding, it offers spectacular views of the Annapurnas, Chulus, Raspberry and Kang Guru. When the weather is clear, you can even see the Mount Manaslu at 8,156 m.

Further information: From Naar to Upper Mustang

4. Oberes Dolpo to Jomsom

Location: Nepal Duration: 30 days maximum height: 5,515 m

The Upper Dolpo Trek meanders through a remote region in the middle west of Nepal and leads to the remote Dolpo villages Shimen, Tinje and Chharka. The region houses a number of Bönpo (pre-Buddhist) monasteries, including Shey Gompa, which is considered the spiritual heart of the upper Dolpo area.

Alt = "The valley of the Kali Gandaki river in Nepal"Efimova Anna/ShutterstockThe valley of the Kali Gandaki river in Nepal

The hike crosses a number of high passes to Lower Mustang in the Kali Gandaki-Valley and ends in the city of Jomsom on Annapurna Circuit.

Trekker have to manage narrow cliff paths and scree slopes with serpentines, but are rewarded with exceptional views of the Phoksundo Lake and the Kanjiroba Himal at 6,612 m as well as a rich variety of wild animals, including blue sheep, musk deer and Himalaya fox. Snowopardic views are rare, but not unusual.

Further information: Oberes Dolpo to Jomsom

5. WEITH WESTNEPAL & Limi-Valley

Location: Nepal Duration: 29 days maximum height: 4,380 m

If you are really groundbreaking, then opt for the Far West Nepal & Limi Valley Trek, which covers the last section of the GHT by Westnepal to the border with Tibet.

Alt = "Rara lake in Nepal"Shree Krishna Photo/ShutterstockRara lake in Nepal

The route is currently being examined by The Mountain Company and is expected to be completed in April 2021.

Commercial operators rarely dare so far so that hikers can enjoy a really unique view of the wonderful Himalaya.

Find out more: Far West Nepal & Limi Valley

6. Lunana-Schneemann

Location: Bhutan duration: 34 days maximum height: 5,250 m

The Lunana Snowman in Bhutan, also known as Snowman Trek, is considered one of the toughest trek in the world. In view of the fact that you cross eight passes over 4,000 m and three over 5,000 m over 28 days, it is easy to understand why.

• Alt = "The Mount Jitchu Drake in Bhutan can be seen on this unknown hike in Asia"
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The mountain society

Scenes from the Lunana Schneemann hike in Bhutan

Trekker has the opportunity to visit the iconic clamping monastery (known as Tiger nest) before they are seriously on their way. The spectacular landscape includes views of the 7,000 m high summit of Chomolhari and Gangkar Punsum and the somewhat smaller Jitchu Drake as well as glittering lakes and traditional Bhutanian villages.

Wannabe discoverers will be encouraged to find out that there are several summits along the border between Bhutan and Tibet, which are still unnamed and not mapped. If you are looking for seclusion, there are only a few better options than trekking in Bhutan.

Learn more: Lunana Schneemann

7. Dagana & Lawagu-Pass

Location: Bhutan duration: 13 days maximum height: 4,427 m

The Dagana and Lawagu Pass-Trek explores the hidden valley of Dagana in southern Bhutan and is offered as a shorter alternative to the Lunana-Schneemann above.

As with the snowman, hikers have the opportunity to visit the bars long before they go on their way.

Alt = "The bars in Bhutan is one of the best unknown trek in Asia"S_Jakkarin/ShutterstockTaktsang monastery in Bhutan

The route crosses the Lari Gang passports (4,267 m) and Lawagu (4,427 m) with a view of Kangchenjunga, Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake.

On the way, hikers pass deep forests, open hills, traditional villages and 300 -year -old monasteries, including the impressive Dagana Dzong.

Find out more: Dagana & Lawagu Pass

8. Pilgrims from the Haa Valley

Location: Bhutan duration: 12 days maximum height: 4,189 m

The Haa Valley in Bhutan is still one of the most visited areas in the country. The Haa Valley Pilgrims Trek follows a path used by Buddhist pilgrims to the Holy Lake at NUB Tshona Patta. The route crosses several high passes and offers spectacular views of Chomolhari, Jitchu Drake and Kanchenjunga.

Alt = "Himalaya monal fasane could be spotted on one of the best unknown hikes in Asia"Kamal Hari Menon/ShutterstockThe Himalaya monal can be seen on one of the best unknown hikes in Asia

Trekker visits the Taktsang monastery as well as Lhakhang Karpo (Black Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (White Temple), two of the 108 monasteries, which were reportedly built in one day by the Tibetan King Songs Gampo in one day.

Expect untouched alpine forests, flowering meadows and a number of wild animals, including blue sheep, yakherds and the colorful monal fasan from the Himalaya.

Further information: Pilgrims in the Haa-Valley

9. Ladakh Sky Trail

Location: Indian duration: 27 daymaximal height: 5,380 m

The Ladakh Sky Trail GHT is a unique route through a remote region of northern India. Over the course of three weeks, hikers will travel through Ladakh, Zanskar and Changthang and cross six mountain passes over 5,000 m.

Alt = "The Ladakh Sky Trail GHT is one of the best trek in Asia"Alma KhanViews on the Ladakh Sky Trail

The route follows old footpaths from the Lamayuru monastery in the Zanskar valley to the Blue See Tso Moriri on the Changthang Plateau at 4,500 m.

On the way, hikers take a break at TSharlow, where rock layers such as waves are embedded in the slopes that have been shaped through thousands of geological processes. The area is also an important nature reserve in which snow leopards, wolves, blue sheep, marmots and different bird animals, including the black neck cranes, live.

Further information: Ladakh Sky Trail GHT

10. Snow lake & Hisppar La

Location: Pakistan duration: 22 days maximum height: 5.151 m

Pakistan's Snow Lake is a 16 km wide glacier pool at great altitude, which is at the top of the Biafo and Hisppar glaciers. The glaciers meet at Hisppar La (5,151 m) and combine two old mountain kingdoms: Hunza in the west and Baltistan in the east.

Alt = "Snow lake in the Karakorum, Pakistan"Vasiq Eqbal/ShutterstockSnow Lake & Hisppar La is one of the best unknown trek in Asia

Trekker will navigate on the way to Hispar La under the high -towering 7,000 m high peaks of the caracorum through a network of glacier columns, including Kanjut Sar, Distaghil Sar and Baintha Brakk/The Ogre (7.285 m), which were first climbed by Doug Scott and Chris Bonington in 1977. The story of her dramatic descent is very worth reading.

This remote region serves as a stronghold for a number of animals, including the Himalaya bear, Capricorn, Markhor and the difficult to grasp. In fact, the area is so remote that the mountaineer Eric Shipton described it as "the last white hole on the map".

I dare to say that it is the perfect hike for discoverers who were born too late for the sea and a little early for the stars.

Learn more: Snow Lake & Hisppar La

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On July 13, 1977, Doug Scott and Chris Bonington started their long relegation after they were the first climber of the Ogre. In the following minutes, their performance was overwhelmed by a desperate struggle for survival. The Ogre: Biography of a Mountain and the Dramatic Story of the First Ascent tells her story.

Cover picture: The Mountain Company

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